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"Labor Market Information (LMI) is an applied science; it is the systematic collection and analysis of data which describes and predicts the relationship between labor demand and supply." The States' Labor Market Information Review, ICESA, 1995, p. 7.

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Wyoming Labor Force Trends

November 2023 | Volume 60, No. 11


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R&P Publishes New Directory of Licensed Occupations

Excerpted from the 2023 Directory of Licensed Occupations in Wyoming


by: Lisa Knapp, Senior Research Analyst and Michael Moore, Research Supervisor

Professional job licenses or certificates are awarded by governmental licensing agencies to people who have specific education, knowledge, and skills to perform particular jobs. These licenses or certificates, which give workers legal authority to work in specific occupations, may require a predetermined amount of education or training and passing scores on mandatory exams (Torpey, 2016). Licensing requirements may vary by state and there might be fees associated with obtaining and maintaining a license (Kleiner & Kruger, 2011).

Every other year, the Research & Planning (R&P) section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services publishes a directory of licensed occupations in the state. The newest iteration of the publication, the 2023 Directory of Licensed Occupations in Wyoming, contains a wealth of information on licensed occupations in the state, including job descriptions, requirements, restrictions, licensing fees, schools located in Wyoming, examinations, fees, the licensing agency, and additional resources.

There are 98 occupations in Wyoming that require a license and 46 licensing boards that oversee the administration of these licenses. The 2023 directory includes information for all 98 licensed occupations.

This article provides an excerpt from the directory on nursing assistants and nurse aides to illustrate the type of information that can be found in the directory. Individuals who obtain this license do so in order to work as certified nursing assistants, which has the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code 31-1014. The entry hourly wage for this occupation in Wyoming is $15.56, and the average (median) salary is $16.15.

As noted in the job description in the directory:

"Nursing assistants, under the supervision of a licensed nurse, may perform delegated tasks including basic nursing skills, personal care skills, basic restorative skills, using communication skills and nursing team member skills, for clients in hospitals and nursing homes."

Nursing assistants must meet four requirements:

  1. Graduate from a board-approved CNA training and competency evaluation program.
  2. Submit completed application and fee.
  3. Submit CBS fingerprint cards and fee.
  4. Successfully pass NATCEP or similar national exam.

Also, while there are no set continuing education requirements for nursing assistants or aides in Wyoming, these individuals must meet specific continuing competency requirements for license renewal.

These include:

  • Completion of at least 400 hours of CNA activity during the previous two years; or
  • Completion of 200 hours of CNA employment and 15 hours of continuing education during the previous two years; or
  • Completion of 30 hours of continuing education during the previous two years; or
  • Successfully passing the NATCEP exam during the prior two years.

In order to be registered as a nursing assistant or aide, individuals must not have been convicted of any act of sexual molestation. In addition, all applications are reviewed by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. All certified nursing assistants in Wyoming must be certified by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing, and licenses and certificates expire on even-numbered years.

Most Wyoming community colleges have nursing programs, and local nursing homes can provide the necessary training. Examinations schedules for community colleges throughout the state are listed on the Wyoming State Board of Nursing website, but may not be given at each community college every month.

The following fees may apply to nursing assistants or aides:

  • Certification by Endorsement: $60
  • Certification by Examination: $60
  • Examination: $60
  • Renewal: $50
  • Background check: $60

More information on the State Board of Nursing is available at http://nursing-online.state.wy.us. More information on the occupation can be found at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm.

The information discussed in this article is available for all 98 licensed occupations in Wyoming in R&P’s 2023 Directory of Licensed Occupations in Wyoming, which is available online at https://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/licensed_occupations.htm.

References

Kleiner, M.M., and Krueger, A.B. (2011). Analyzing the extent and influence of occupational licensing on the labor market. Discussion paper No. 5505. Retrieved September 19, 2019, from http://ftp.iza.org/dp5505.pdf

Torpey, E. (2016). Will I need a license or certification for my job? U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Washington D.C. Retrieved August 3, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/article/will-i-need-a-license-or-certification.htm